Nutritional Yeast

Not all nutritional yeast is created equally. If you are following a strict vegan diet it is strongly reccomended that you purchase and use a nutritional yeast that has been fortified with vitamin B 12. Red Star brand makes just such a one and labelled it as their “Vegetarian Support Formula”. It is widely found in health and natural food stores, and can be ordered on the internet.

Different nutritional yeasts have differet flavours and some people prefer one type over another. It can come in either flakes or powder. If you are using the powder it’s best to reduce the quantity in the recipe by about 1/3rd. Brewers yeast has a particularly “funky” aroma and flavour that some people find unpleasant. Engevita has the “cheesiest” flavour and works well in recipes that are meant to imitate dairy cheese. Red Star’s Vegetarian Support formula is the best all purpose nutritional yeast that can impart a cheesy taste in sauces, a chicken-like flavour in soups or gravies, and a nutty flavour in loafs and casseroles.

Don’t be afraid of this wonderful seasoning agent…try adding small amounts of it onto your popcorn or sprinkling it straight over pasta or rice.